It felt like it was just yesterday, only a decade ago when the aviation bug bit me. Now I’m finally here, at the University of Waterloo, living the dream from 5,000 feet in Cessna 172s. Going into it, I didn’t know what to expect. I envisioned my university experience being mundane when in reality, my experience at Waterloo has been so much more.
I’m a Geography and Aviation student, and being at one of the best universities in Canada gives me access to top-tier courses to complement my flight training. I know some may ask how the Environment faculty and aviation relate. This is where WISA comes into play and reminds us aviators of the need for sustainability in the aviation industry.
Ethan speaks at the 2023 Sustainable Aeronautics Summit
WISA has been the icing on the cake, enabling us to rub shoulders with sustainable aeronautics innovators. This gives rise to co-op, networking and volunteer opportunities. In my case, at the Sustainable Aeronautics Summit last October, I had the pleasure of speaking after Chris Hadfield on behalf of the Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC), as a past scholarship winner introducing the 2024 OAC Scholarship to students in the audience. This gave me the chance to inspire students to continue to dream big despite many barriers they may face pursuing a career in aviation.
When it comes to the community at Waterloo, considering the remote nature of many flight schools in Canada, I’ve been blessed to meet so many great people and I’ve gotten really close with the tight-knit aviation community here. All of us sharpen each other’s skills, while making our presence known in our pilot uniforms, as we embark on our flight training journeys. Finally, great successes and the realization of your dreams don’t just get handed to you without working hard. Although it is worth it, it can be tough balancing flying three to five times a week, preparing to write Transport Canada exams, acing flight tests and juggling schoolwork simultaneously, nevermind other responsibilities as a young adult.
With that being said, regardless of mini-challenges along the way, the aviation industry is calling and needs our bright minds to fill in the gaps of sustainability, worldwide shortages and a lack of diversity. The aviation industry has drawn us all through passion, and that is what is required to draw upon in order to overcome obstacles enroute to our goals.